Communication apparatus and method of controlling communication apparatus

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus is connected to an external apparatus in a connection mode selected from a plurality of connection modes including a first connection mode in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance with a predetermined operation on the communication apparatus and a second connection mode in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance with an operation whose operation amount is smaller than the predetermined operation. The communication apparatus has a plurality of operation modes to select at least one of contents saved in a recording medium. When connecting the external apparatus in the second connection mode, an operation mode in which the contents are selected based on the operation on the external apparatus is selected out of the plurality of operation modes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and method ofcontrolling a communication apparatus that is connected to anotherdevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

Apparatuses for implementing a content transmission system, whichtransmits a content from one apparatus to another apparatus by awireless communication function, have recently been introduced into themarket. There is known, for example, a digital camera having a wirelesscommunication function and capable of wirelessly transmitting image dataobtained by shooting to an external apparatus. The following two methodsare considerable to select a content (image data) to be transmitted fromsuch a digital camera to an external apparatus. In one method, imagedata to be transmitted to the external apparatus is selected on thedigital camera side. In the other method, image data in the digitalcamera are opened to the external apparatus, and image data to beacquired is selected on the external apparatus side. Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2009-44251 (to be referred to as literature 1 hereinafter)discloses a digital camera that allows a user to select which one of themethods should be used.

In the technique disclosed in literature 1 described above, however,every time the camera is connected to the external apparatus, the userneeds to select, on the camera side, whether to open image data, thatis, whether to permit the external apparatus to select images in thecamera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention saves a user from performinguser operations associated with content transmission when connecting aspecific external apparatus as a content transmission destination.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided acommunication apparatus comprising: a connection unit to be connected toan external apparatus in a connection mode selected from a plurality ofconnection modes, the plurality of connection modes including a firstconnection mode in which an external apparatus is connected inaccordance with a predetermined operation on the communication apparatusand a second connection mode in which an external apparatus is connectedin accordance with an operation whose operation amount is smaller thanthe predetermined operation performed on the communication apparatus todo connection in the first connection mode; a selection unit configuredto select at least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one ofa plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modesincluding a first operation mode in which a content is selected based onan operation on the communication apparatus and a second operation modein which a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus; a transmission unit configured to transmit the selectedcontent to the external apparatus; and a control unit configured tocause the selection unit to operate in the second operation mode whenconnecting the external apparatus in the second connection mode.

Also, According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a communication apparatus comprising: a connection unit to beconnected to an external apparatus in a connection mode selected from aplurality of connection modes, the plurality of connection modesincluding a first connection mode in which an external apparatus isconnected in accordance with a predetermined operation on thecommunication apparatus and a second connection mode in which anexternal apparatus registered in advance is connected in accordance withan operation whose operation amount is smaller than the predeterminedoperation performed on the communication apparatus to do connection inthe first connection mode; a selection unit configured to select atleast one of contents saved in a recording medium in one of a pluralityof operation modes, the plurality of operation modes including a firstoperation mode in which a content is selected based on an operation onthe communication apparatus and a second operation mode in which acontent is selected based on an operation on an external apparatus; atransmission unit configured to transmit the selected contents to theexternal apparatus; and a control unit configured to cause the selectionunit to operate in one of the first operation mode and the secondoperation mode when connecting the external apparatus in the firstconnection mode, and cause the selection unit to operate in the secondoperation mode when connecting the external apparatus in the secondconnection mode.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a communication apparatus comprising: a connection unit tobe connected to an external apparatus; a selection unit configured toselect at least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one of aplurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes includinga first operation mode in which the selection is done based on anoperation on the communication apparatus and a second operation mode inwhich at least one of a contents saved in the recording medium isselected based on an operation on the external apparatus; a transmissionunit configured to transmit the selected contents to the externalapparatus; and a control unit configured to cause the selection unit tooperate in the second connection mode when connecting, in accordancewith a predetermined operation, the external apparatus registered in thecommunication apparatus in advance.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of controlling a communication apparatus,comprising: a connection step of connecting an external apparatus in aconnection mode selected from a plurality of connection modes, theplurality of connection modes including a first connection mode in whichan external apparatus is connected in accordance with a predeterminedoperation on the communication apparatus and a second connection mode inwhich an external apparatus is connected in accordance with an operationwhose operation amount is smaller than the predetermined operationperformed on the communication apparatus to do connection in the firstconnection mode; a selection step of selecting at least one of contentssaved in a recording medium in one of a plurality of operation modes,the plurality of operation modes including a first operation mode inwhich a content is selected based on an operation on the communicationapparatus and a second operation mode in which a content is selectedbased on an operation on an external apparatus; a transmission step oftransmitting the selected contents to the external apparatus; and acontrol step of executing the second operation mode in the selectionstep when connecting the external apparatus in the second connectionmode.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of controlling a communication apparatus,comprising: a connection step of connecting an external apparatus in aconnection mode selected from a plurality of connection modes, theplurality of connection modes including a first connection mode in whichan external apparatus is connected in accordance with a predeterminedoperation on the communication apparatus and a second connection mode inwhich an external apparatus registered in advance is connected inaccordance with an operation whose operation amount is smaller than thepredetermined operation performed on the communication apparatus to doconnection in the first connection mode; a selection step of selectingat least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one of aplurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modes includinga first operation mode in which a content is selected based on anoperation on the communication apparatus and a second operation mode inwhich a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus; a transmission step of transmitting the selected contents tothe external apparatus; and a control step of performing an operation inthe selection step while enabling switching of the operation mode whenconnecting the external apparatus in the first connection mode, andexecuting the second operation mode in the selection step whenconnecting the external apparatus in the second connection mode.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of adigital camera according to the embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a mobile phoneaccording to the embodiment;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing an example of a network configurationaccording to the embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing connection processing of thedigital camera in a normal connection mode;

FIGS. 5A to 5H are views showing examples of the display screen of thedigital camera in connection processing;

FIGS. 5I and 5J are views showing examples of the display screen of themobile phone in connection processing;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing connection processing of the digitalcamera in a simple connection mode;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing connection processing of themobile phone;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera afterconnection;

FIGS. 9A to 9C are views showing examples of the display screen of thedigital camera after connection according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera afterconnection;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone afterconnection;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing examples of the display screen ofthe mobile phone after connection; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone afterconnection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodimentsto be explained below are merely examples of the implementation means ofthe present invention, and may appropriately be modified or changed inaccordance with various conditions and the arrangement of the apparatusto which the present invention is applied. The embodiments can alsoappropriately be combined.

<Arrangement of Digital Camera>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the arrangement of adigital camera 100 as an example of a content transmission apparatusthat constitutes a content transmission system according to thisembodiment. Note that although the digital camera will be explained hereas an example of the content transmission apparatus, the contenttransmission apparatus is not limited to this. For example, the contenttransmission apparatus may be an information processing apparatus suchas a mobile phone, a tablet device, or a personal computer, or an imagecapturing apparatus such as a mobile phone equipped with a camera. Inaddition, the content to be transmitted is not limited to image data andmay be audio data or document data.

A control unit 101 controls the units of the digital camera 100 inaccordance with input signals and programs to be described later. Notethat instead of causing the control unit 101 to control the entireapparatus, a plurality of pieces of hardware may share the processing tocontrol the entire apparatus. An image capturing unit 102 convertsobject light formed into an image via a lens included in the imagecapturing unit 102 into an electrical signal, performs noise reductionprocessing and the like, and outputs digital data as image data. Thecaptured image data is stored in a buffer memory, undergoespredetermined arithmetic processing by the control unit 101, and isrecorded in a recording medium 110.

A nonvolatile memory 103 is an electrically erasable/recordablenonvolatile memory, and stores, for example, programs (to be describedlater) which are executed by the control unit 101. A work memory 104 isused as a buffer memory that temporarily holds image data captured bythe image capturing unit 102, an image display memory for a display unit106, the work area of the control unit 101, and the like.

An operation unit 105 is used to accept instructions to the digitalcamera 100 from the user. The operation unit 105 includes, for example,operation members such as a power button used by the user to instructON/OFF of the power supply of the digital camera 100, a release switchused to instruct shooting, and a playback button used to instructplayback of image data. A touch panel provided on the display unit 106to be described later is also included in the operation unit 105. Notethat the release switch includes SW1 and SW2. When the release switch isset in a so-called half stroke state, SW1 is turned on. When SW1 isturned on, the control unit 101 performs preparation for shooting suchas AF (Auto Focus) processing, AE (Auto Exposure) processing, AWB (AutoWhite Balance) processing, and EF (Electronic Flash) processing. Whenthe release switch is set in a so-called full stroke state, SW2 isturned on. The control unit 101 accepts the ON of SW2 as an instructionto do shooting.

The display unit 106 displays a viewfinder image at the time ofshooting, shot image data, characters for interactive operations, andthe like. Note that the digital camera 100 need not always include thedisplay unit 106. For example, the digital camera 100 need only beconnectable to the display unit 106 and have a display control functionof controlling display on the display unit 106.

A simple connection button 107 is an interface used to easily performconnection between the digital camera 100 and an external apparatus.When an external device to be connected is set on the digital camera 100in advance, the designated external apparatus can immediately beconnected after selection of the simple connection button 107.

The recording medium 110 can record image data output from the imagecapturing unit 102. The recording medium 110 may be configured to bedetachable from the digital camera 100 or incorporated in the digitalcamera 100. That is, the digital camera 100 need only have anarrangement to access at least the recording medium 110.

A connection unit 111 is an interface used to connect an externalapparatus. The digital camera 100 according to this embodiment cantransmit/receive data to/from an external apparatus via the connectionunit 111. Note that in this embodiment, the connection unit 111 is awireless communication unit including an antenna, and the control unit101 can be connected to an external apparatus via the antenna. Thedigital camera 100 has been described above.

<Arrangement of Mobile Phone>

A mobile phone 200 that is an example of an external apparatus will bedescribed next. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of thearrangement of the mobile phone 200 as an example of the externalapparatus that receives a content from a content transmission apparatusaccording to this embodiment. Note that although the mobile phone willbe explained here as an example of the external apparatus, the externalapparatus is not limited to this. For example, various kinds ofinformation processing apparatuses such as a digital camera having awireless function, a tablet device, and a personal computer can beapplied to the external apparatus for receiving content.

A control unit 201 controls the units of the mobile phone 200 inaccordance with input signals and programs to be described later. Notethat instead of causing the control unit 201 to control the entireapparatus, a plurality of pieces of hardware may share the processing tocontrol the entire apparatus. An image capturing unit 202 convertsobject light formed into an image via a lens included in the imagecapturing unit 202 into an electrical signal, performs noise reductionprocessing and the like, and outputs digital data as image data. Thecaptured image data is stored in a buffer memory, undergoespredetermined arithmetic processing by the control unit 201, and isrecorded in a recording medium 210.

A nonvolatile memory 203 is an electrically erasable/recordablenonvolatile memory, and stores, for example, programs (to be describedlater) which are executed by the control unit 201. A work memory 204 isused as an image display memory for a display unit 206, the work area ofthe control unit 201, and the like. An operation unit 205 is used toaccept instructions to the mobile phone 200 from the user. The operationunit 205 includes, for example, operation members such as a power buttonused by the user to instruct ON/OFF of the power supply of the mobilephone 200 and a touch panel provided on the display unit 206. Thedisplay unit 206 displays image data, characters for interactiveoperations, and the like. Note that the mobile phone 200 need not alwaysinclude the display unit 206. For example, the mobile phone 200 needonly be connectable to the display unit 206 and have a display controlfunction of controlling display on the display unit 206.

The recording medium 210 can record image data output from the imagecapturing unit 202. The recording medium 210 may be configured to bedetachable from the mobile phone 200 or incorporated in the mobile phone200. That is, the mobile phone 200 need only have at least anarrangement to access the recording medium 210. A connection unit 211 isan interface used to connect an external apparatus. The mobile phone 200according to this embodiment can transmit/receive data to/from thedigital camera 100 via the connection unit 211. Note that in thisembodiment, the connection unit 211 is an antenna, and the control unit201 can be connected to the digital camera 100 via the antenna.

A public network connection unit 212 is an interface used to performpublic wireless communication. The mobile phone 200 can perform speechcommunication with another device via the public network connection unit212. At this time, the control unit 201 inputs and outputs voice signalsvia a microphone 213 and a speaker 214, thereby implementing the speechcommunication. In this embodiment, the public network connection unit212 includes an antenna, and the control unit 201 can be connected tothe public network via the antenna. Note that the connection unit 211and the public network connection unit 212 may share one antenna. Themobile phone 200 has been described above.

<Outline of Connection Forms>

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views schematically showing connection forms betweenthe digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200 according to thisembodiment. When the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200wirelessly transmit/receive data, two connection forms shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B are considerable.

FIG. 3A illustrates a form in which the digital camera 100 and themobile phone 200 join a wireless LAN formed by an external AP 300 as anexample of an external relay apparatus. The digital camera 100 and themobile phone 200 detect a beacon signal periodically transmitted by theexternal AP 300, and join the wireless LAN formed by the external AP300. The digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200 join the samewireless LAN and then become capable of transmitting/receiving data bythe wireless LAN (establish communication between the devices) after,for example, finding each other and acquiring device capabilities. Theexternal AP 300 according to this embodiment can be connected to anexternal network such as the Internet using a public network or thelike. Hence, the mobile phone 200 can transmit data to the Internet viathe external AP 300.

FIG. 3B illustrates a form in which the digital camera 100 and themobile phone 200 are directly connected without intervening with theexternal AP 300. In this case, the digital camera 100 operates as asimple AP and forms a wireless LAN. When operating as the simple AP, thedigital camera 100 starts periodically transmitting a beacon signal. Themobile phone 200 detects the beacon signal and joins the wireless LANformed by the digital camera 100. As in FIG. 3A, the digital camera 100and the mobile phone 200 become capable of transmitting/receiving dataafter, for example, finding each other and acquiring devicecapabilities.

Note that although in the above-described example, the digital camera100 always operates as a simple AP in direct connection, as shown inFIG. 3B, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, thedigital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200 may communicate in advance,and which one of them should serve as a simple AP may dynamically bedecided. As described above, the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone200 have two kinds of connection forms.

<Outline of Connection Processing>

Processing when connecting the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone200 according to this embodiment will be described next. As describedabove, the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment can beconnected to the mobile phone 200 via the connection unit 111. It ispossible to select image data recorded in the recording medium 110 ofthe digital camera 100 and transmit it to the mobile phone 200 via theconnection.

In this embodiment, connection of the digital camera 100 and the mobilephone 200 can be done using one of a first connection mode in which anexternal apparatus is connected by performing predetermined operationsand a second connection mode in which an external apparatus registeredin advance is connected by performing a smaller number of operationsthan in the first connection mode. In this embodiment, there exist twoconnection modes: a normal connection mode as the first connection modeand a simple connection mode as the second connection mode. The normalconnection mode is a connection mode used to connect a mobile phoneconnectable to the digital camera 100. The user operates the operationunit 105 of the digital camera 100 to display a menu concerning thewireless LAN on the display unit 106, and connects the mobile phone 200.On the other hand, the simple connection mode is a connection mode usedto register one mobile phone to be connected frequently and connect itin a shorter step as compared to the normal connection mode. In thesimple connection mode, the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200can be connected only by pressing the simple connection button 107 whenviewed from the user. Note that although an arrangement for registeringone mobile phone in the simple connection mode will be described in thisembodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, aplurality of simple connection buttons may be provided to registermobile phones corresponding to them, and each mobile phone may beconnected in the simple connection mode.

In this embodiment, when transmitting image data from the digital camera100 to the mobile phone 200 in the normal connection mode, two methodsare usable. In one method, the transmission processing is controlled byoperating the digital camera 100. In the other method, the transmissionprocessing is controlled by operating the mobile phone 200. In the firstoperation mode in which the transmission processing is controlled byoperating the digital camera 100, the following procedure is performed.First, image data recorded in the recording medium 110 of the digitalcamera 100 are displayed on the display unit 106 of the digital camera100. The user browses the displayed image data, selects, via theoperation unit 105, image data to be transmitted, and instructstransmission. With these operations, the selected image data istransmitted from the digital camera 100 to the mobile phone 200.

On the other hand, in the second operation mode in which thetransmission processing is controlled by operating the mobile phone 200,first, the mobile phone 200 acquires image data (thumbnails) recorded inthe recording medium 110 from the digital camera 100 and displays themon the display unit 206 of the mobile phone 200. The user browses thedisplayed image data, selects, via the operation unit 205, image data tobe transmitted from the digital camera 100, and sends a transmissionrequest to the digital camera 100. Upon receiving the request, thedigital camera 100 transmits the requested image data to the mobilephone 200. Note that if the content is audio data or document data,metadata such as a title of music or a file name is acquired anddisplayed.

To implement image data transmission processing by the above-describedfirst and second operation modes, each of the digital camera 100 and themobile phone 200 according to this embodiment has two modes. These modeswill be explained below.

One of the operation modes of the digital camera 100 is a cameraoperation mode. In the camera operation mode, the user can controltransmission processing by operating the digital camera 100. In thecamera operation mode, the digital camera 100 selectably displays, onthe display unit 106, image data recorded in the recording medium 110.The user can select a displayed image via the operation unit 105. Theuser can input, via the operation unit 105, an instruction to transmitthe selected image data to the mobile phone 200. The operation mode ofthe mobile phone 200 corresponding to the camera operation mode of thedigital camera 100 is an external apparatus standby mode. In theexternal apparatus standby mode, the mobile phone 200 can receive animage transmitted from the digital camera 100. In this mode, it isimpossible to control image data transmission processing from thedigital camera 100 via the operation unit 205 of the mobile phone 200(for example, select, via the operation unit 205, an image to betransmitted from the digital camera 100).

The other operation mode of the digital camera 100 is a camera standbymode. In the camera standby mode, the user cannot control image datatransmission processing to the mobile phone 200 via the operation unit105 of the digital camera 100. When the digital camera 100 is set inthis mode, transmission processing is controlled by operating the mobilephone 200. The operation mode in which the mobile phone 200 controlstransmission processing in correspondence with the camera standby modeis called an external apparatus operation mode. In the externalapparatus operation mode, the mobile phone 200 receives the thumbnailsof image data recorded in the recording medium 110 from the digitalcamera 100 and selectably displays them on the display unit 206. Theuser can thus select an image to be transmitted while browsing theimages in the digital camera 100 using the mobile phone 200. The mobilephone 200 transmits, to the digital camera 100, a transmission requestto cause it to transmit the selected image. Note that the digital camera100 in the camera standby mode transmits the image to the mobile phone200 in response to the transmission request from the mobile phone 200 inthe external apparatus operation mode.

As described above, the camera operation mode and the external apparatusstandby mode correspond to the first operation mode of the digitalcamera 100 and the mobile phone 200, and the camera standby mode and theexternal apparatus operation mode correspond to the second operationmode. That is, in the first operation mode in which transmissionprocessing is controlled by operating the digital camera 100, thetransmission processing cannot be operated from the mobile phone 200. Tothe contrary, in the second operation mode in which transmissionprocessing is controlled by operating the mobile phone 200, thetransmission processing cannot be operated from the digital camera 100.

These operation modes can be switched while maintaining thecorrespondence relationship between them. For example, when the mobilephone 200 is switched from the external apparatus standby mode to theexternal apparatus operation mode, the digital camera 100 is switchedfrom the camera operation mode to the camera standby mode. In thisembodiment, however, the digital camera 100 is activated in the cameraoperation mode first, and the mobile phone 200 is activated in theexternal apparatus standby mode. To switch the mobile phone 200 to theexternal apparatus operation mode, a permission from the digital camera100 is necessary. This is because, for example, when connecting theuser's digital camera 100 to the mobile phone 200 of another person, theuser may want to avoid opening the image data to the other person. Inthis embodiment, the user can select, by a user operation on the digitalcamera 100, whether to permit opening of the image data when connectingthe mobile phone 200 or by selecting a predetermined setting menu.Whether the mobile phone 200 can transit to the external apparatusoperation mode is decided based on selection of the opening permission.Note that not only the presence/absence of opening but also thecondition under which the image data are opened may be set concerningthe opening. For example, image data selected in advance, image dataincluding a specific object, image data recorded in a specific recordingformat, or image data given a specific rating (favorite level) may beset.

Note that the digital camera can be configured to record the result ofselecting whether to open image data in the nonvolatile memory 103 ofthe digital camera 100 and automatically decide whether to open imagedata from the next connection. This makes it possible to decide whetherto permit opening of image data without the necessity of a useroperation from connection of second time. Alternatively, the ID of eachcommunication partner and permission/prohibition of opening of imagedata may be recorded in the nonvolatile memory 103 in association witheach other, and whether to permit opening of image data may be decidedin accordance with the connected mobile phone (to be described later asa connection history). At this time, when connecting a mobile phone, itmay be judged whether the ID is registered, and if the ID is notregistered, the user may be caused to select whether to permit openingof image data.

When image data in the digital camera 100 is transmitted to the mobilephone 200 in the simple connection mode, image transmission can becontrolled by operating the mobile phone 200. In this case, the digitalcamera 100 is set in the camera standby mode, and the mobile phone 200is set in the external apparatus operation mode or the externalapparatus standby mode. However, the digital camera 100 cannot transitto the camera operation mode. This is because the simple connection modeis a mode to connect the digital camera 100 to a specific connectionpartner such as the user's mobile phone 200. Since only connection to aspecific connection partner is possible, opening of image data mayalways be permitted without asking the user whether to permit opening ofimage data in connection by the simple connection mode.

<Connection Processing>

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the operation of the digitalcamera 100 when the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200establish connection in the normal connection mode. Each process of theflowchart is implemented by causing the control unit 101 of the digitalcamera 100 to execute a program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 103and control the units of the digital camera 100 in accordance with theprogram. This also applies to the following flowcharts illustratingprocessing executed by the digital camera 100. The processing of theflowchart starts when “mobile phone” is selected on a screen to selectthe type of the connection destination device as shown in FIG. 5A.

In step S401, the control unit 101 accepts an instruction to selectwhether to search for a device to be newly connected or connect a devicethat has already been connected once. In the processing of this step,the control unit 101 displays, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 5Bon the display unit 106. This screen displays a “newly connect” button501 used to accept an instruction to search for a device to be newlyconnected and a “select from history” button 502 used to accept aninstruction to connect a device that has already been connected once.The user can input the instruction to search for a device to be newlyconnected by selecting the “newly connect” button 501 via the operationunit 105. Alternatively, the user can input the instruction to connect adevice that has already been connected once by selecting the “selectfrom history” button 502 via the operation unit 105.

A case in which the control unit 101 determines in step S401 that theinstruction to search for a device to be newly connected is acceptedwill be described below. In this case, the process advances to stepS402. In step S402, the control unit 101 displays a screen shown in FIG.5C on the display unit 106. This screen displays two buttons. One is a“use camera as access point” button 511 used to make the digital camera100 serve as an access point and allow the mobile phone 200 to directlyconnect the digital camera 100. The other is a “search for access point”button 512 used to search for a network generated by an access point inthe neighborhood and connect the network, thereby allowing the mobilephone 200 as well to connect the digital camera 100 via the accesspoint.

When the “use camera as access point” button 511 is selected (whennetwork generation is selected) on the screen of FIG. 5C, the processadvances to step S403. In step S403, the control unit 101 of the digitalcamera 100 activates an access point function and generates a network.At this time, the display unit 106 displays a screen as shown in FIG.5D, and the digital camera waits for connection from the mobile phone200.

When the “search for access point” button 512 is selected in step S402,the process advances to step S404. In step S404, the control unit 101detects networks generated by access points in the neighborhood of thedigital camera 100 and lists the networks. In addition, the control unit101 accepts an instruction to join one of the detected networks. Forexample, the control unit 101 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5E onthe display unit 106. Four networks “NETWORK-100”, “NETWORK-101”,“NETWORK-102”, and “NETWORK-103” are listed on the screen as the ESSIDsof the detected networks. The user can select the ESSIDs via theoperation unit 105. When an ESSID is selected, the control unit 101accepts an instruction to join a network corresponding to the selectedESSID.

In step S405, the control unit 101 accepts information necessary to jointhe selected network. For example, the control unit 101 accepts input ofan encryption key, an IP address acquisition method, DNS server setting,and the like. The user can input these pieces of information via theoperation unit 105. In step S406, the control unit 101 joins the networkusing the information whose input is accepted in step S405.

In step S407, the control unit 101 detects other devices joining in thenetwork, lists the detected devices, and accepts an instruction toselect a device to be connected. More specifically, the digital camera100 transmits information for the search, and receives informationreturned as a response from another device that has received thetransmitted information, thereby detecting the other device joining thenetwork. The information returned from the other device as a responseincludes information representing the name, type, and the like of thedevice. The control unit 101 refers to the device name included in theinformation and displays, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 5F onthe display unit 106. At this time, devices that can be a contenttransmission target are preferably selectively displayed. The names(mobilePhone 1 to 4) of detected devices are listed on the screen ofFIG. 5F. In this embodiment, the control unit 101 filters the devicetypes included in the responses from the other devices, therebydisplaying only mobile phones. Hence, in this example, the names ofdevices of types other than mobile phone are not displayed even if theyare joining the network. The user can select an arbitrary one of thelisted device names via the operation unit 105. When the name isselected, the control unit 101 accepts an instruction to connect thedevice of the selected name.

Upon accepting the instruction to connect the device of the nameselected in step S407, the control unit 101 connects the device of theselected name in step S408. For example, when a name corresponding tothe mobile phone 200 is selected, the control unit 101 transmits aconnection request to the mobile phone 200 via the connection unit 111.When a connection acceptance signal transmitted from the mobile phone200 in response to the connection request is received, communicationwith the mobile phone 200 as an external apparatus is established.

In step S409, the control unit 101 accepts an instruction to selectwhether to permit opening of image data recorded in the recording medium110. More specifically, the control unit 101 displays a screen as shownin FIG. 5G on the display unit 106. In the example of FIG. 5G, a message“do you want to open images in camera to connection destination device?”is displayed to prompt the user to input the instruction to selectwhether to open image data. In addition, the user selects, via theoperation unit 105, a “yes” button 551 or a “no” button 552 displayed onthe screen, thereby inputting the instruction.

Upon determining that the “yes” button 551 is selected, the control unit101 determines that an instruction to open image data is accepted. Inthis case, the user is permitted to browse the image data recorded inthe recording medium 110 of the digital camera 100 from the mobile phone200. In other words, the mobile phone 200 is permitted to transit to theexternal apparatus operation mode. The user of the mobile phone 200 canthus input, via the operation unit 205, a transmission request of animage to be acquired from the digital camera 100 while browsing theimage data recorded in the recording medium 110 of the digital camera100.

Upon determining that the “no” button 552 is selected, the control unit101 determines that an instruction not to open image data is accepted.In this case, the user is prohibited from browsing the image datarecorded in the recording medium 110 of the digital camera 100 from themobile phone 200. In other words, the mobile phone 200 is prohibitedfrom transiting to the external apparatus operation mode.

When the control unit 101 determines in step S409 that the instructionto open image data is accepted, the process advances to step S410. Instep S410, the control unit 101 transmits a mode switching permissionnotification to the external apparatus. Upon receiving the notification,the external apparatus (in this example, the mobile phone 200) canaccept an instruction to make transition from the external apparatusstandby mode to the external apparatus operation mode. That is, themobile phone 200 can transit to the external apparatus operation mode bythe operation from the mobile phone 200. In other words, image data tobe transmitted to the mobile phone 200 can be selected from the imagedata recorded in the recording medium 110 of the digital camera 100 bythe operation on the side of the mobile phone 200. Processing of themobile phone 200 will be described later. With the processing of stepS410, the digital camera 100 can accept an image transmissioninstruction from the mobile phone 200. The process then advances to stepS412.

When the control unit 101 determines in step S409 that the instructionnot to open image data is accepted, the process advances to step S411.In step S411, the control unit 101 transmits a mode switchingprohibition notification to the external apparatus. Upon receiving thenotification, the external apparatus (in this example, the mobile phone200) cannot accept an instruction to make transition from the externalapparatus standby mode to the external apparatus operation mode. Thatis, the mobile phone 200 cannot transit to the external apparatusoperation mode only by the operation from the mobile phone 200. In otherwords, image data to be transmitted to the mobile phone 200 cannot beselected from the image data recorded in the recording medium 110 of thedigital camera 100 by the operation on the side of the mobile phone 200.Processing of the mobile phone 200 will be described later. With theprocessing of step S411, the digital camera 100 can be prohibited fromaccepting an image transmission instruction from the mobile phone 200.The process then advances to step S412.

In step S412, the control unit 101 records the information representingwhether to open image data in a connection history together withinformation representing that the mode is the normal connection modebased on the instruction accepted in step S409. The connection historywill be described here in detail.

The connection history is a database that holds information used whenconnecting an external apparatus for each external apparatus, and isrecorded in the nonvolatile memory 103. In this embodiment, whenreconnecting an external apparatus that has been connected once, thecontrol unit 101 refers to the connection history, thereby connectingthe external apparatus without causing the user to input informationnecessary for connection again (step S413). The connection historyincludes a connection history number, ESSID, BSSID, authenticationmethod, encryption type, encryption key, channel, IP address acquisitionmethod, DNS acquisition method, connection device type, connectiondevice name, device type, UUID, browsing permission information, andconnection mode information as information used when connecting anexternal apparatus. For example, if the control unit 101 determines instep S409 that an instruction not to open image data is accepted,information representing “prohibited” is recorded in the connectionhistory as browsing permission information. The browsing permissioninformation recorded here is used when reconnecting the externalapparatus. This will be described later. When the processing of thisstep ends, the mode transits to the camera operation mode. The case inwhich the control unit 101 determines in step S401 that the instructionto search for a device to be newly connected is accepted has beendescribed above.

A case in which the control unit 101 determines in step S401 that theinstruction to connect a device that has already been connected(instruction to do selection from the history (FIG. 5B)) is acceptedwill be described next. In this case, the process advances to step S413.

In step S413, the control unit 101 accepts a user instruction to selecta device to be connected out of devices that have already beenconnected. More specifically, the control unit 101 refers to theconnection history and displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5H on thedisplay unit 106. This screen displays the names of external apparatusesconnected in the past included in the connection history. In this case,the control unit 101 refers to “connection device type” out of theabove-described information of the connection history, and filterstargets whose names are to be displayed on the display unit 106 from theinformation of the connection history. In this embodiment, “mobilephone” is selected as “connection device type”. For this reason, onlydevices for which “connection device type” is “mobile phone” aredisplayed out of the connection history.

In step S414, the control unit 101 establishes connection to theselected external apparatus based on the user instruction accepted instep S413 and the information included in the connection history. Inthis case, the control unit 101 automatically joins the network usinginformation necessary to join the network, such as an ESSID included inthe connection history, and also automatically searches for the selecteddevice from the same network based on the UUID and connects it. This cansave the user from inputting information necessary for connection suchas the ESSID and network selection.

When the connection is established in step S414, in step S415, thecontrol unit 101 refers to the browsing permission information includedin the connection history of the selected external apparatus (mobilephone) and determines whether the selected external apparatus waspermitted to browse image data in the past. If the control unit 101determines that the selected external apparatus was permitted to browseimage data in the past, the process advances to step S416. In step S416,the same process as in step S410 is executed. If the control unit 101determines that the selected external apparatus was not permitted tobrowse image data in the past, the process advances to step S417. Instep S417, the same process as in step S411 is executed. In this way,when reconnecting an external apparatus that has been connected once,automatic selection is done without the necessity of selection. It istherefore possible to save the user from inputting a browsing permissionat the time of reconnection. Then, the processing of the flowchart ends,and the digital camera transits to the camera operation mode.

Note that a user interface or a screen to edit the browsing permissioninformation registered in the connection history (for example, to make“permitted/prohibited” of the browsing permission information changeablefor each external apparatus) may be provided, as a matter of course. Theoperation of the digital camera 100 when connecting the digital camera100 and the mobile phone 200 has been described above.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100when the digital camera 100 and the mobile phone 200 establishconnection in the simple connection mode. The processing of theflowchart starts when the simple connection button 107 of the digitalcamera 100 is pressed.

First, in step S601, the control unit 101 refers connection historyinformation and confirms whether there exists history information inwhich the connection mode information indicates the simple connectionmode. If there exists no history information in which the connectionmode information indicates the simple connection mode, the processadvances to step S602 to perform new registration. If there existshistory information in which the connection mode information indicatesthe simple connection mode, the process advances to step S611, and thecontrol unit 101 starts connection to the device in the historyinformation.

A case in which there exists no history information in which theconnection mode information indicates the simple connection mode in stepS601 will be described first. In this case, the process advances to stepS602. In steps S602 to S608, the control unit 101 does network settingsand establishes connection to the external device by the same processesas in steps S402 to S408 of FIG. 4A.

In step S609, the control unit 101 transmits a simple connection modenotification to the mobile phone 200. Upon receiving the notification,the mobile phone 200 can select image data to be transmitted to themobile phone 200 out of image data recorded in the recording medium 110of the digital camera 100 by the operation on the side of the mobilephone 200. In the simple connection mode, the mobile phone 200 isprohibited from transiting to the external apparatus standby mode inwhich image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 200 by the operationon the side of the digital camera 100. Processing of the mobile phone200 will be described later. The process then advances to step S610.

In step S610, the control unit 101 records connection informationincluding information indicating the simple connection mode in theconnection history. The case in which there exists no historyinformation in which the connection mode information indicates thesimple connection mode in step S601 has been described above. A case inwhich there exists history information in which the connection modeinformation indicates the simple connection mode in step S601 will bedescribed next. In this case, the process advances to step S611.

In step S611, the control unit 101 establishes connection based on theinformation included in the connection history. In this case, thecontrol unit 101 automatically joins the network or generates a networkusing information necessary to join the network/generate a network, suchas an ESSID included in the connection history. The control unit 101also automatically searches for the selected connection device from thesame network based on the UUID and connects it. This can save the userfrom inputting information necessary for connection such as the ESSIDand network selection.

When the connection is established in step S611, in step S612, thecontrol unit 101 transmits a simple connection mode notification to themobile phone 200, as in step S609. Note that in this embodiment, themobile phone is notified that the mode is the simple connection mode instep S609 or S612. However, if the mobile phone 200 does not change theoperation, the notification need not always be transmitted. Theoperation of the digital camera 100 when the digital camera 100 and themobile phone 200 are connected in the simple connection mode has beendescribed above.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing processing of the mobile phone200 according to this embodiment. Note that the processes of theflowcharts are implemented by causing the control unit 201 of the mobilephone 200 to control the units of the mobile phone 200 in accordancewith input signals and programs. Note that this also applies to theother following flowcharts illustrating processing of the mobile phone200 unless specifically stated otherwise.

First, in accordance with a predetermined operation performed by theuser of the mobile phone 200, in step S701, the control unit 201 causesthe display unit 206 to display a screen to select a wireless LAN tojoin. When transiting to this screen, the control unit 201 scanswireless LANs in the neighborhood and displays a list of ESSIDs detectedconsequently. FIG. 5I shows an example of the screen. In thisembodiment, these processes are performed by the function of the OS ofthe mobile phone 200 before activation of the camera communicationapplication. Instead, the camera communication application activated inadvance may perform the processes in cooperation with the function ofthe OS. When the digital camera 100 operates as a simple AP, the mobilephone 200 detects the ESSID of the digital camera 100 and displays it inthe list. In FIG. 5I, “CAMERA-123” is displayed as the ESSID of thedigital camera 100.

In step S702, the control unit 201 waits for one of the ESSIDs in thelist to be selected. When one of the ESSIDs in the list is selected by auser operation, the control unit 201 performs joining processing for acorresponding wireless LAN in step S703. Joining the network is thuscompleted.

After joining the network, the user of the mobile phone 200 activatesthe camera communication application installed in the mobile phone 200.Processing of the mobile phone 200 after activation of the cameracommunication application will be described with reference to theflowchart of FIG. 7B. Main functions of the camera communicationapplication are a function of establishing communication with a digitalcamera in the same network, a function of transmitting/receiving contentdata such as image data, and a function of controlling processing oftransmitting content data held by the local device to a server.

When the camera communication application is activated based on a useroperation, a waiting screen as shown in FIG. 5J is displayed on thedisplay unit 206 in step S711. The SSID of the network that the mobilephone is currently joining is displayed in the dialogue. FIG. 5J showsan example of the screen displayed in step S711 when “CAMERA-123” isselected on the screen of FIG. 5I. After activation of the cameracommunication application, the control unit 201 notifies the digitalcamera 100 of the service of the local device via the wireless LAN sothat the digital camera 100 can detect the mobile phone 200. The digitalcamera 100 can detect the mobile phone 200 based on the servicenotification. Note that the service notification includes the devicename and UUID of the mobile phone 200.

In step S712, the control unit 201 waits for a connection request fromthe digital camera 100. Upon determining that a connection request isreceived, the control unit 201 establishes communication with thedigital camera 100 in step S713. In step S714, the control unit 201receives the mode switching permission/prohibition notificationtransmitted in the normal connection mode of the digital camera 100shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B or the simple connection mode notificationtransmitted in the simple connection mode shown in FIG. 6. The modeswitching permission/prohibition notification is transmitted from thedigital camera 100 in step S410, S411, S416, or S417. The simpleconnection mode notification is transmitted in step S609 or S612.

The operation of the mobile phone 200 when connecting the digital camera100 and the mobile phone 200 has been described above.

<Processing after Connection>

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation after the digital camera 100according to this embodiment is connected to the mobile phone 200. Theprocessing of the flowchart starts after the digital camera 100 isconnected to the mobile phone 200. Note that the operation of steps S801to S806 to be described below corresponds to the operation in the cameraoperation mode.

First, in step S801, the control unit 101 judges whether the currentconnection mode is the simple connection mode executed by pressing thesimple connection button 107. If the current connection mode is thesimple connection mode, the digital camera transits to the camerastandby mode without transiting to the camera operation mode. Theoperation in the camera operation mode will be described later.

In step S802, the control unit 101 displays, on the display unit 106,image data obtained finally out of image data recorded in the recordingmedium 110, and accepts an instruction from the user. This processing isexecuted in parallel to step S803. FIG. 9A shows a display example ofthe image data displayed in step S802. In the example of FIG. 9A, theimage data read out from the recording medium 110 is displayed on thescreen. An image advance button 901 and an image back button 902 thataccept an instruction to display another image data and a transmitbutton 903 that accepts an instruction to transmit the currentlydisplayed image data to the external apparatus are displayed while beingsuperimposed on the image data. The user selects these buttons via theoperation unit 105, thereby inputting an instruction corresponding toeach button. Note that if transition to the camera standby mode ispossible (when opening of images is permitted), a guidance fortransition to the camera standby mode or an operation button fortransition to the camera standby mode may be displayed on the screen ofFIG. 9A.

In step S803, the control unit 101 determines the instruction acceptedin step S802. If the control unit 101 determines in step S803 that aninstruction to display another image data is accepted, the processadvances to step S804. In step S804, the control unit 101 reads outimage data corresponding to the accepted instruction from the recordingmedium 110, and displays it on the display unit 106. The process thenreturns to step S803. If the control unit 101 determines in step S803that an instruction to transmit the image data is accepted, the processadvances to step S805. In step S805, the control unit 101 transmits theimage data currently displayed on the display unit 106 to the externalapparatus. The process then returns to step S803. If the control unit101 determines in step S803 that no instruction is accepted, the processadvances to step S806.

In step S806, the control unit 101 determines whether the mobile phone200 that is the connected external apparatus has transited from theexternal apparatus standby mode to the external apparatus operationmode. More specifically, this determination is done by detectingreception of “information representing that the mobile phone 200 makesmode transition”. This information is transmitted to the digital camera100 when the mobile phone 200 makes mode transition. For example, whenthe mobile phone 200 makes mode transition, the information representingit is transmitted from the mobile phone 200 to the digital camera 100.The digital camera 100 receives and processes the information, therebyknowing that the mobile phone 200 has made mode transition. Inaccordance with the mode transition of the mobile phone 200, the digitalcamera 100 can also transit to the corresponding mode (camera standbymode).

If the control unit 101 determines that the mobile phone 200 has nottransited to the external apparatus operation mode, the process returnsto step S803. If the control unit 101 determines that the mobile phone200 has transited from the external apparatus standby mode to theexternal apparatus operation mode, the process advances to step S807. Instep S807, the control unit 101 makes the digital camera 100 transit tothe camera standby mode in correspondence with the transition of themobile phone 200 to the external apparatus operation mode. Note that thedigital camera 100 according to this embodiment cannot make modetransition by the operation of the digital camera 100 after connection.The operation of the digital camera 100 in the camera operation mode hasbeen described above.

The operation of the digital camera 100 in the camera standby mode willbe described next. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of thedigital camera 100 in the camera standby mode. The processing of theflowchart starts in accordance with transition of the digital camera 100to the camera standby mode.

First, in step S1001, the control unit 101 determines whether theconnection is done in the simple connection mode. If the connection isnot done in the simple connection mode, the control unit 101 displays awaiting screen as shown in FIG. 9B on the display unit 106 in stepS1003. In the example of FIG. 9B, a message “operate connectiondestination device” is displayed on the screen. If the connection isdone in the simple connection mode, the control unit 101 displays ascreen shown in FIG. 9C different from FIG. 9B on the display unit 106in step S1002 so that the operator can know that the connection is donenot by normal connection but in the simple connection mode. Changing thedisplay in this way allows the operator to discriminate whether theconnection is done in the simple connection mode or the normalconnection mode. Note that a guidance for transition to the cameraoperation mode or an operation button for transition to the cameraoperation mode may be displayed on the screen of FIG. 9B.

In step S1004, the control unit 101 determines whether the mobile phone200 that is the external apparatus has transited from the externalapparatus operation mode to the external apparatus standby mode. Upondetermining that the mobile phone 200 has transited from the externalapparatus operation mode to the external apparatus standby mode, thecontrol unit 101 judges in step S1005 whether the mode is the simpleconnection mode. If the mode is not the simple connection mode, thedigital camera 100 transits to the camera operation mode. Note that thedigital camera 100 according to this embodiment cannot transit to thecamera operation mode by the operation of the digital camera 100. Upondetermining that the mobile phone 200 has not transited from theexternal apparatus operation mode to the external apparatus standbymode, or upon judging in step S1005 that the mode is the simpleconnection mode, the process advances to step S1006.

In step S1006, the control unit 101 determines whether a request ofthumbnails included in image data is accepted from the mobile phone 200.Upon determining that a request of thumbnails included in image data isaccepted from the mobile phone 200, the process advances to step S1009.In step S1009, the control unit 101 transmits the thumbnails of theimage data according to the request to the mobile phone 200. The processthen returns to step S1004.

If the control unit 101 determines that a request of thumbnails of imagedata is not accepted from the mobile phone 200, the process advances tostep S1007. In step S1007, the control unit 101 determines whether animage data request is accepted from the mobile phone 200. Upondetermining that an image data request is accepted from the mobile phone200, the process advances to step S1008. In step S1008, the control unit101 reads out image data according to the request from the recordingmedium 110 and transmits them to the mobile phone 200. The process thenreturns to step S1004.

Note that in this embodiment, since the screen display of the digitalcamera 100 is changed depending on whether the mode is the simpleconnection mode, as described with reference to FIGS. 9B and 9C, theoperator can clearly know to which mode the transition has been made.When connection is done in the simple connection mode, the operator ofthe digital camera 100 may put the digital camera in a bag withoutviewing the display unit 106. Assuming such a case, the display of thedisplay unit 106 may be turned off after the elapse of a predeterminedtime. This can suppress power consumption of the digital camera 100.

Note that in this embodiment, the screen as shown in FIG. 9B isdisplayed on the display unit 106 at the time of normal connection.However, a method of returning to the camera operation mode by operatingthe mobile phone 200 may also be displayed. For example, if the cameracan be operated to send an image by pressing a back button 1203 in FIG.12B (to be described later) displayed on the mobile phone 200, adescription “you can transmit images by operating the camera by the backbutton” may be displayed. The operation of the digital camera 100 in thecamera standby mode has been described above.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 200 inthe external apparatus standby mode. The processing of the flowchartstarts in accordance with transition of the mobile phone 200 to theexternal apparatus standby mode. Note that when connection to thedigital camera 100 is established, the mobile phone 200 according tothis embodiment first transits to the external apparatus standby modeand starts communication with the digital camera 100.

First, in step S1101, the control unit 201 determines whether browsingof image data in the digital camera 100 is permitted. More specifically,the control unit 201 determines whether a mode switching permissionnotification (browsing permitted), a mode switching prohibitionnotification (browsing prohibited), or a simple connection modenotification is received (browsing permitted) from the digital camera100 in step S714 of FIG. 7B. As described above, these notifications aretransmitted when the digital camera 100 accepts the instructionrepresenting whether to open image data via the operation unit 105 orthe simple connection button 107. Hence, upon determining that the modeswitching permission notification or simple connection mode notificationis received from the digital camera 100, the control unit 201 determinesthat the digital camera 100 permits opening of image data. In otherwords, the control unit 201 determines that browsing of image data inthe digital camera 100 is permitted. Upon determining that the modeswitching prohibition notification is received from the digital camera100, the control unit 201 determines that the digital camera 100 doesnot permit opening of image data. In other words, the control unit 201determines that browsing of image data in the digital camera 100 is notpermitted.

If the control unit 201 determines in step S1101 that browsing of imagedata in the digital camera 100 is permitted, the process advances tostep S1102. In step S1102, the control unit 201 displays a screen asshown in FIG. 12A on the display unit 206. In the example of FIG. 12A,the user can change the name of the mobile phone displayed on thedigital camera 100 or confirm the version using a setting button 1201. A“view images in camera” button 1202 is displayed on the screen to acceptan instruction to make transition from the external apparatus standbymode to the external apparatus operation mode. That is, the control unit201 displays the screen shown in FIG. 12A, thereby accepting theinstruction to make transition from the external apparatus standby modeto the external apparatus operation mode. The user can input theinstruction to make the mobile phone 200 transit to the externalapparatus operation mode by selecting the button 1202. This allows theuser to browse image data recorded in the recording medium 110 of thedigital camera 100 from the mobile phone 200.

If the control unit 201 determines in step S1101 that browsing of imagedata in the digital camera 100 is not permitted, the process advances tostep S1103. In step S1103, the control unit 201 displays the same screen(FIG. 12A) as in step S1102 on the display unit 206. However, the “viewimages in camera” button 1202 used to accept the instruction to maketransition from the external apparatus standby mode to the externalapparatus operation mode is not displayed. That is, the user cannotinput the instruction to make transition to the external apparatusoperation mode. The user is thus prohibited from browsing image datarecorded in the recording medium 110 of the digital camera 100 from themobile phone 200. Note that in the external apparatus standby mode, themobile phone 200 waits for image data transmission from the side of thedigital camera 100 on the screen displayed in step S1101 or S1102. Uponreceiving the image data, the mobile phone 200 stores the received imagedata in the recording medium 210. At this time, the received image datamay be displayed on the screen shown in FIG. 12A.

In step S1104, the control unit 201 determines whether an instruction tomake transition from the external apparatus standby mode to the externalapparatus operation mode is accepted. Upon determining that theinstruction to make transition to the external apparatus operation modeis accepted, the process advances to step S1105. Note that when theprocessing of step S1104 is executed after the processing of step S1103,it is always determined that the instruction to make transition is notaccepted because the “view images in camera” button 1202 is notdisplayed on the display unit 206. For example, when the processing ofstep S1103 is executed, the process may advance to step S1106 withoutperforming the processing of step S1104. That is, in this case, theprocessing of step S1106 may be executed immediately after step S1103.

In step S1105, the control unit 201 notifies the digital camera 100 oftransition from the external apparatus standby mode to the externalapparatus operation mode. More specifically, the control unit 201transmits information representing that the mobile phone 200 makes modetransition to the digital camera 100. As described above, the digitalcamera 100 detects this in step S806 of FIG. 8 and automaticallytransits to the camera standby mode in correspondence with the modetransition of the mobile phone 200. When the processing of step S1105ends, the mobile phone 200 transits to the external apparatus operationmode.

If the control unit 201 determines in step S1104 that the instruction tomake transition from the external apparatus standby mode to the externalapparatus operation mode is not accepted, the process advances to stepS1106. In step S1106, the control unit 201 determines whether image datais received from the digital camera 100. Upon determining that no imagedata is received from the digital camera 100, the process returns tostep S1104.

Upon determining that image data is received from the digital camera100, the process advances to step S1107. Note that the image datareceived here is the image data transmitted from the digital camera 100by the processing of step S806 in FIG. 8. In step S1107, the controlunit 201 saves the image data received from the digital camera 100 inthe recording medium 210. The process then returns to step S1104. Theoperation of the mobile phone 200 in the external apparatus standby modehas been described above.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile phone 200 inthe external apparatus operation mode. The processing of the flowchartstarts in accordance with transition of the mobile phone 200 to theexternal apparatus operation mode.

First, in step S1301, the control unit 201 acquires, from the digitalcamera 100, thumbnails of image data recorded in the recording medium110 of the digital camera 100. More specifically, when the control unit201 transmits a request of thumbnails of image data to the digitalcamera 100, the digital camera 100 reads out thumbnails included in theimage data from the recording medium 110 and transmits them to themobile phone 200 in response to the request. The control unit 201receives the transmitted thumbnails, and the mobile phone 200 thusacquires the thumbnails. In this embodiment, image data is handled inthe Exif format. The control unit 101 of the digital camera 100 readsout the thumbnail recorded in the header field of each image data as athumbnail corresponding to the image data.

In step S1302, the control unit 201 displays the thumbnails received instep S1301 on the display unit 206 and accepts an instruction from theuser. This processing is executed in parallel to the processing of stepS1303. FIG. 12B shows an example of a screen displayed in the processingof this step. In the example of FIG. 12B, thumbnails received from thedigital camera 100 are displayed. The user of the mobile phone 200 canthus browse the contents of the image data recorded in the recordingmedium 110 of the digital camera 100 via the display unit 206 of themobile phone 200.

Referring to FIG. 12B, a check mark 1204 indicates that the thumbnail isin a decided state. The decided state represents that correspondingimage data is decided as a target to be saved in the recording medium210. This example shows that the upper left thumbnail is in the decidedstate. The user selects an arbitrary one of the plurality of displayedthumbnails via the operation unit 205, thereby inputting an instructionto set the thumbnail in the decided state. For example, the mobile phonecan be configured to set a desired thumbnail in the decided state bytouching the display position of the thumbnail. Note that the number ofthumbnails that can be set in the decided state is not limited to one,and a plurality of thumbnails may be set in the decided state.

The control unit 201 also displays a save button 1205 used to accept aninstruction to acquire image data corresponding to the thumbnail in thedecided state from the digital camera 100 and save it. The user cantransmit a request of image data corresponding to the thumbnail in thedecided state to the digital camera 100 by selecting the save button1205 via the operation unit 205. In addition, the mode switching button1203 used to accept an instruction to make transition to the externalapparatus standby mode is displayed on the screen of FIG. 12B. The usercan input the instruction to make the mobile phone 200 to transit to theexternal apparatus standby mode by selecting the mode switching button1203.

In step S1303, the control unit 201 determines the instruction acceptedin step S1303. If the control unit 201 determines that the “instructionto set a thumbnail in the decided state” is accepted, the processadvances to step S1304. In step S1304, the control unit 201 sets thethumbnail for which the instruction is received in the decided state,and displays the check mark 1204. The process then returns to stepS1303.

If the control unit 201 determines in step S1303 that the instruction(save button 1205) to save image data corresponding to the thumbnail inthe decided state in the recording medium 210 is accepted, the processadvances to step S1305. In step S1305, the control unit 201 acquires theimage data corresponding to the thumbnail in the decided state from thedigital camera 100. More specifically, the control unit 201 transmits animage data transmission request to the digital camera 100 together withinformation for specifying the image corresponding to the thumbnail inthe decided state, and the digital camera 100 transmits the designatedimage data in response to the request (step S1008). In step S1306, thecontrol unit 201 saves the acquired image data in the recording medium210. The process then returns to step S1303.

Upon determining in step S1303 that the instruction (mode switchingbutton 1203 or back button in this embodiment) to make transition fromthe external apparatus operation mode to the external apparatus standbymode is accepted, the process advances to step S1307. In step S1307, thecontrol unit 201 notifies the digital camera 100 of transition from theexternal apparatus operation mode to the external apparatus standbymode. More specifically, the control unit 201 transmits informationrepresenting that the mobile phone 200 has made mode transition to thedigital camera 100. The digital camera 100 is set in the cameraoperation mode outside the simple connection mode. Hence, the digitalcamera 100 detects it in step S1004 of FIG. 10 described above andautomatically makes mode transition in correspondence with the modetransition of the mobile phone 200. When the processing of step S1307ends, the mobile phone 200 transits to the external apparatus standbymode. The operation of the mobile phone 200 in the external apparatusoperation mode has been described above.

As described above, the digital camera 100 according to this embodimentcan easily be connected to an already registered device when theconnection is performed upon detecting press of the simple connectionbutton 107. Transition to a mode unwanted by the operator can beprevented by limiting the switchable modes.

Note that in this embodiment, the digital camera 100 is configured todirectly communicate with the mobile phone 200 by serving as a simpleaccess point and forming a network or via a network formed by anexternal access point. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, a connection form in which the digital camera 100always forms a network may be employed.

As the procedure of disconnecting the digital camera 100 from the mobilephone 200, the disconnection is done by, for example, ending the cameracommunication application in the mobile phone 200 or performing apredetermined operation on the digital camera 100. Alternatively, forexample, when the digital camera 100 accepts an operation on the releaseswitch, the digital camera 100 may be disconnected from the mobile phone200 and transit to the shooting mode. This is based on a concept thatthe primary purpose of the digital camera 100 is image capturing, andhigher priority should be given to shooting processing thancommunication with the mobile phone 200. Note that when transiting tothe image capturing mode, the mobile phone 200 is disconnected in orderto prevent an image obtained by image capturing from containing noisedue to the influence of communication waves with the mobile phone 200.

The present invention has been described above in detail based on thepreferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited tothese specific embodiments and can incorporate various forms withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Some of theabove-described embodiments may appropriately be combined.

The present invention has been described above in detail based on thepreferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited tothese specific embodiments and can incorporate various forms withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The above-describedembodiments are merely examples of the present invention and can alsoappropriately be combined.

In the above-described embodiment, a case in which the present inventionis applied to a digital camera has been described as an example.However, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is,the present invention is applicable to any display control apparatuscapable of controlling to simultaneously display a plurality of images,such as a digital photo frame or a display provided for selection andconfirmation of print images on a personal computer, a PDA, a mobilephone terminal, a portable image viewer, or a printer apparatus.

According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to save auser from performing user operations when connecting a specific externalapparatus as a content transmission destination.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (for example, non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2012-288558, filed Dec. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus comprising: an imagecapturing unit configured to capture an object and generate image data;and a processor for executing a program stored in a storage to implementthe functions of a connection unit and a control unit; the connectionunit to be connected to an external apparatus by a connection procedureselected from a plurality of connection procedures, the plurality ofconnection procedures including a first connection procedure in which anexternal apparatus is connected in accordance with a predeterminedoperation on the communication apparatus and a second connectionprocedure in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance withan operation whose operation amount is smaller than the predeterminedoperation performed on the communication apparatus to do connection bythe first connection procedure, wherein the connection procedure isselected before connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus is established; the control unit configured to selectat least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one of aplurality of operation modes and control to transmit the selectedcontent to the external apparatus via the connection being establishedby the connection unit, the plurality of operation modes including afirst operation mode in which a content is selected based on anoperation on the communication apparatus and a second operation mode inwhich a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus, wherein the operation mode is selected and executed afterestablishing the connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus; wherein the control unit operates in the secondoperation mode when the connection with the external apparatus isestablished by the second connection procedure, and wherein the contentsrecorded in the recording medium include the image data generated bysaid image capturing unit.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein when connecting the external apparatus in the second connectionprocedure, said control unit operates in the second operation mode whilebeing unable to switch the operation mode.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein when connecting the external apparatus in the firstconnection procedure, said control unit operates in an operation modeselected out of the plurality of operation modes in accordance with auser operation.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit decides, based on an instruction from a user, whether topermit opening of the contents to the external apparatus when connectingthe external apparatus by the first connection procedure, wherein whensaid control unit decides to prohibit the opening, said control unitoperates in the first operation mode while being unable to switch theoperation mode.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol unit decides, based on an instruction from a user, whether topermit opening of the contents to the external apparatus when connectingthe external apparatus by the first connection procedure, wherein whensaid control unit decides to prohibit the opening, said control unitoperates in the first operation mode while being able to switch theoperation mode, and when said control unit decides to permit theopening, said control unit operates in the first operation mode whilebeing unable to switch the operation mode.
 6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a display configured to identifiably displaythe connection mode of said connection unit.
 7. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising a memory configured to hold informationfor specifying the external apparatus connected by said connection unitin the past and the connection procedure at the time of connection tothe external apparatus by said connection unit in association with eachother, wherein when connection is done in the second connection mode,said connection unit is connected to the external apparatus specified byinformation held in association with information representing the secondconnection procedure out of the information held by said memory.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 7, wherein when connection is done in thefirst connection procedure, said connection unit is connected to theexternal apparatus designated by a user.
 9. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is further implements the functions of anotification unit, the apparatus further comprising the notificationunit configured to, when connecting the external apparatus in the secondconnection procedure, notify the external apparatus that connection isdone in the second connection procedure.
 10. A communication apparatuscomprising: an image capturing unit configured to capture an object andgenerate image data; and a processor for executing a program stored in astorage to implement the functions of a connection unit and a controlunit; the connection unit to be connected to an external apparatus by aconnection procedure selected from a plurality of connection procedures,the plurality of connection procedures including a first connectionprocedure in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance witha predetermined operation on the communication apparatus and a secondconnection procedure in which an external apparatus registered inadvance is connected in accordance with an operation whose operationamount is smaller than the predetermined operation performed on thecommunication apparatus to do connection in the first connectionprocedure, wherein the connection procedure is selected beforeconnection between the communication apparatus and the externalapparatus is established; the control unit configured to select at leastone of contents saved in a recording medium in one of a plurality ofoperation modes and control to transmit the selected content to theexternal apparatus via the connection being established by theconnection unit, the plurality of operation modes including a firstoperation mode in which a content is selected based on an operation onthe communication apparatus and a second operation mode in which acontent is selected based on an operation on an external apparatus,wherein the operation mode is selected and executed after establishingthe connection between the communication apparatus and the externalapparatus; wherein the control unit operates in one of the firstoperation mode and the second operation mode when the connection withthe external apparatus is established by the first connection procedure,and operates in the second operation mode when the connection with theexternal apparatus is established by the second connection procedure,and wherein the contents recorded in the recording medium include theimage data generated by said image capturing unit.
 11. A method ofcontrolling a communication apparatus including an image capturing unitconfigured to capture an object and generate image data, the methodcomprising: a connection step of connecting an external apparatus by aconnection procedure selected from a plurality of connection procedures,the plurality of connection procedures including a first connectionprocedure in which an external apparatus is connected in accordance witha predetermined operation on the communication apparatus and a secondconnection procedure in which an external apparatus is connected inaccordance with an operation whose operation amount is smaller than thepredetermined operation performed on the communication apparatus to doconnection by the first connection procedure, wherein the connectionprocedure is selected before connection between the communicationapparatus and the external apparatus is established; a selection step ofselecting at least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one ofa plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modesincluding a first operation mode in which a content is selected based onan operation on the communication apparatus and a second operation modein which a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus, wherein the operation mode is selected and executed afterestablishing the connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus; a transmission step of transmitting the selectedcontents to the external apparatus; and a control step of executing thesecond operation mode in the selection step when connecting the externalapparatus by the second connection procedure, wherein the contentsrecorded in the recording medium include the image data generated bysaid image capturing unit.
 12. A method of controlling a communicationapparatus including an image capturing unit configured to capture anobject and generate image data, the method comprising: a connection stepof connecting an external apparatus by a connection procedure selectedfrom a plurality of connection procedures, the plurality of connectionprocedures including a first connection procedure in which an externalapparatus is connected in accordance with a predetermined operation onthe communication apparatus and a second connection procedure in whichan external apparatus registered in advance is connected in accordancewith an operation whose operation amount is smaller than thepredetermined operation performed on the communication apparatus to doconnection by the first connection procedure, wherein the connectionprocedure is selected before connection between the communicationapparatus and the external apparatus is established; a selection step ofselecting at least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one ofa plurality of operation modes, the plurality of operation modesincluding a first operation mode in which a content is selected based onan operation on the communication apparatus and a second operation modein which a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus, wherein the operation mode is selected and executed afterestablishing the connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus; a transmission step of transmitting the selectedcontents to the external apparatus; a control step of performing anoperation in the selection step while enabling switching of theoperation mode when connecting the external apparatus by the firstconnection procedure, and executing the second operation mode in theselection step when connecting the external apparatus by the secondconnection procedure, wherein the contents recorded in the recordingmedium include the image data generated by said image capturing unit.13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a programfor controlling a communication apparatus including an image capturingunit configured to capture an object and generate image data, whereinthe program causes a computer to execute: a connection step ofconnecting an external apparatus by a connection procedure selected froma plurality of connection procedures, the plurality of connectionprocedures including a first connection procedure in which an externalapparatus is connected in accordance with a predetermined operation onthe communication apparatus and a second connection procedure in whichan external apparatus is connected in accordance with an operation whoseoperation amount is smaller than the predetermined operation performedon the communication apparatus to do connection by the first connectionprocedure, wherein the connection procedure is selected beforeconnection between the communication apparatus and the externalapparatus is established; a selection step of selecting at least one ofcontents saved in a recording medium in one of a plurality of operationmodes, the plurality of operation modes including a first operation modein which a content is selected based on an operation on thecommunication apparatus and a second operation mode in which a contentis selected based on an operation on an external apparatus, wherein theoperation mode is selected and executed after establishing theconnection with the external apparatus; a transmission step oftransmitting the selected contents to the external apparatus; and acontrol step of executing the second operation mode in the selectionstep when connecting the external apparatus by the second connectionprocedure, wherein the contents recorded in the recording medium includethe image data generated by said image capturing unit.
 14. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program forcontrolling a communication apparatus including an image capturing unitconfigured to capture an object and generate image data, wherein theprogram causes a computer to execute: a connection step of connecting anexternal apparatus by a connection procedure selected from a pluralityof connection procedures, the plurality of connection proceduresincluding a first connection procedure in which an external apparatus isconnected in accordance with a predetermined operation on thecommunication apparatus and a second connection procedure in which anexternal apparatus registered in advance is connected in accordance withan operation whose operation amount is smaller than the predeterminedoperation performed on the communication apparatus to do connection bythe first connection procedure, wherein the connection procedure isselected before connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus is established; a selection step of selecting atleast one of contents saved in a recording medium in one of a pluralityof operation modes, the plurality of operation modes including a firstoperation mode in which a content is selected based on an operation onthe communication apparatus and a second operation mode in which acontent is selected based on an operation on an external apparatus,wherein the operation mode is selected and executed after establishingthe connection with the external apparatus; a transmission step oftransmitting the selected contents to the external apparatus; and acontrol step of performing an operation in the selection step whileenabling switching of the operation mode when connecting the externalapparatus by the first connection procedure, and executing the secondoperation mode in the selection step when connecting the externalapparatus by the second connection procedure, wherein the contentsrecorded in the recording medium include the image data generated bysaid image capturing unit.
 15. A communication apparatus comprising: animage capturing unit configured to capture an object and generate imagedata; a processor for executing a program stored in a storage toimplement the functions of a connection unit and a control unit; and anoperation unit including a first button that is a hardware buttonarranged on the communication apparatus and is configured to select amenu concerning a function of the communication apparatus, and a secondbutton that is a hardware button arranged on the communication apparatusand is configured to be used for starting to connect an externalapparatus; the connection unit to be connected to the external apparatusin accordance with one of menu selection by an operation of the firstbutton and an operation of the second button, wherein the menu selectionis performed before connection between the communication apparatus andthe external apparatus is established; and the control unit configuredto select at least one of contents saved in a recording medium in one ofa plurality of operation modes and control to transmit the selectedcontent to the external apparatus via the connection being establishedby the connection unit, the plurality of operation modes including afirst operation mode in which a content is selected based on anoperation on the communication apparatus and a second operation mode inwhich a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus, wherein the operation mode is selected and executed afterestablishing the connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus; wherein the control unit operates in the secondoperation mode when the connection with the external apparatus isestablished by the second button out of said operation unit, and whereinthe contents recorded in the recording medium include the image datagenerated by said image capturing unit.
 16. A communication apparatuscomprising: an image capturing unit configured to capture an object andgenerate image data; a processor for executing a program stored in astorage to implement the functions of a connection unit and a controlunit; a display configured to display a menu used to connect an externalapparatus; an operation unit including a hardware button configured toactivate a function of connecting the external apparatus in accordancewith an operation independently of the menu displayed by said display;the connection unit to be connected to the external apparatus inaccordance with one of selection of the menu displayed by said displayunit and the operation on the hardware button, wherein the menuselection is performed before connection between the communicationapparatus and the external apparatus is established; the control unitconfigured to select at least one of contents saved in a recordingmedium in one of a plurality of operation modes and control to transmitthe selected content to the external apparatus via the connection beingestablished by the connection unit, the plurality of operation modesincluding a first operation mode in which a content is selected based onan operation on the communication apparatus and a second operation modein which a content is selected based on an operation on an externalapparatus, wherein the operation mode is selected and executed afterestablishing the connection between the communication apparatus and theexternal apparatus; wherein the control unit operates in the secondoperation mode when the connection with the external apparatus isestablished by the hardware button, and wherein the contents recorded inthe recording medium include the image data generated by said imagecapturing unit.